Description
This Italian Chopped Salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish featuring a crisp base of romaine lettuce mixed with fresh cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Enhanced with flavorful cubed ham, Genoa salami, and pepperonchinis, it’s dressed with a tangy homemade vinaigrette made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, and garlic. Quick to prepare and perfect for a light lunch or side dish, this salad offers a delightful blend of textures and bold Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 Head of Romaine Lettuce (large or 2 romaine hearts)
- 1 Cucumber (chopped)
- 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes
- 1/2 Red Onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup Cubed Ham
- 1 cup Genoa Salami (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Pepperonchinis (sliced)
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Olive Oil (or avocado oil)
- 2 Tbls Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 Tbls Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tbls Oregano
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the lettuce: Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl to form the base of your salad.
- Add remaining salad ingredients: To the bowl with lettuce, add the chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced pepperonchinis, cubed ham, and chopped Genoa salami. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a small mason jar with a lid, combine the olive oil (or avocado oil), red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing emulsifies. Alternatively, whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the freshly made dressing over the salad. Toss gently and thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve or store: Serve the salad immediately for the best crispness and flavor. If preparing in advance, keep the salad and dressing separate and combine just before serving to maintain freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute avocado oil for olive oil for a milder flavor.
- To make this salad vegetarian, omit ham and salami, and consider adding chickpeas or roasted vegetables.
- For extra crunch, add toasted pine nuts or walnuts.
- Keep the dressing separate if serving later to avoid soggy salad.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing according to your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
